Accident - Settling Privately

[Celt07]

I was involved in an accident before Christmas. I was rear-ended and so the other party was responsible and accepted liability on the night. He asked that he settle privately which I had no objection to as long as the car got fixed. I notified the accident to the guards and my insurance company just for notification purposes. I organised an estimate (€5k) and told him the amount involved. He has contacted me since and made a payment but this was only part of the estimate amount (€3k). He agreed to get the balance to me when the repair work was completed. My problem is there is a risk he won't forward the balance after I arrange the repair work. Where do I stand in that case and what are my options? Has anyone been in a similar situation and have any advice?

 

[ninsaga]

Everyone is different in this matter - you may be dealing with someone who is genuine here. Given that you have advised your insurer, I think that they will automatically advise his insurer - which is probably not what he wanted.

You can let him know that you needed to cover yourself & that you have advised the guards. At least he then knows that if he leaves you short that you are on record for reporting this.

 

[Stifster]

Do you have his insurance details just in case things do go pear shaped? Do you have his address?

It is a fair chunk of cash and maybe he just needs the time to get it together.

 

[Celt07]

Have all those details alright and a phone number. I appreciate that it is a lot of money alright and although there was a delay in paying, I think he is fairly genuine. I'm trying to be as reasonable as I can because I'd like to think that if I was in the same boat, I would be treated reasonably too. At the end of the day, I just don't want to be out of pocket myself.